Garou's pupils shrank, disbelief written all over his face. "You… you want to join the Monster Association?"
Sol Mirek shrugged, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "What, isn't Senpai always admiring monsters? Seems like the perfect chance. We could become monsters together and wipe out humanity."
"Bullshit!" Garou snapped, silver hair bristling as his fists clenched with a sharp crack. "I admire absolute evil, not some rotten organization like that!"
Garou's path was twisted, but clear to him. He didn't want to become a mindless monster, he wanted to stand as a dark symbol against a world where the majority crushed the minority.
From behind a trash can, a small boy suddenly ran out, his face flushed red. "Is something wrong with you?!"
Sol glanced at him and lowered his voice slightly. "Kid, go home. This isn't something you understand."
Garou stepped forward and pulled the boy behind him, anger burning in his eyes. "Stop dragging him into this. What are you really planning?"
Sol laughed, light and careless, though something sharper lingered underneath. "Since Senpai refuses, don't blame me for what happens next."
In an instant, he vanished.
A second later, he reappeared at the alley entrance, his hand wrapped around the throat of a passing office worker. The man froze, terror flooding his face.
"Starting now," Sol said casually, tilting his head, "I'll kill one person every ten minutes."
Garou's body tensed. "Have you lost your mind?! Let him go!"
The office worker trembled violently. "H-help…"
Sol smiled faintly. "So, Senpai? Still not interested? Being a monster isn't just talk."
Garou's breathing grew heavier, conflict flickering in his eyes.
Then the boy broke free and rushed forward, punching Sol's leg with everything he had. "Let go of him! You're not like this, Sol!"
Sol looked down at the tearful face, something flickering briefly in his eyes before it disappeared.
He released the man.
"Get out of here," Sol said flatly.
The office worker didn't hesitate, scrambling away as fast as he could. The boy clung to Sol's leg, smearing tears and snot all over his pants.
"Let go," Sol muttered, frowning.
"No!" the boy shouted stubbornly. "You're not a bad person! The news is lying!"
Garou watched silently, his expression complicated beneath his hair. Then he stepped forward, grabbed the boy, and tossed him behind him.
"Stay out of this."
Sol smirked. "What, Senpai? Changed your mind?"
"Drop the act," Garou said, fists tightening again. "I don't care what you're planning, but you won't hurt anyone in front of me."
Sol sighed lightly. "That's disappointing. I thought we understood each other."
He turned and walked toward the alley exit, his coat swaying with each step. "Then let's leave it here. Next time, I won't go easy."
"Stop!"
Garou lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick toward Sol's back.
Sol shifted slightly without turning, avoiding it effortlessly. In the same motion, he grabbed Garou's ankle and flicked him away.
Garou slammed into the wall with a heavy impact.
Before he could recover, Sol appeared in front of him, placing a finger lightly against his forehead.
"Sleep."
Garou's vision went dark, and his body collapsed. Sol caught him and gently laid him on the ground.
"Sol!" the boy cried, running over. "What did you do to him?!"
Sol crouched and ruffled his hair. "Relax. He's just taking a nap."
The boy hesitated, tugging at Sol's coat. "What they're saying about you… it's not true, right?"
Sol paused, then bared his teeth slightly. "Run now, or I might eat you."
The boy didn't move, just stared at him.
Sol went quiet for a moment before speaking more softly. "Things aren't that simple."
He stood up, pulled out a piece of candy, and handed it over. "Go home. Don't make your mom worry."
"But—"
"Go," Sol said firmly.
The boy finally left, looking back repeatedly as he disappeared down the street.
Sol watched until he was gone, then glanced at Garou's unconscious body.
A translucent panel appeared before him, projecting Garou's figure.
[Select ability to evolve: Adaptive Evolution, Super Learning Ability, Style Mimicry, Superhuman Physique, Combat Intelligence]
[Adaptive Evolution conditions met]
[Begin evolution?]
Sol ignored it for now.
"Not yet," he muttered.
What he wanted first was something else entirely. Absolute strength.
He caught up to the shaken office worker and casually handed him some yen. "Get yourself a drink."
Then he disappeared.
Sol moved swiftly through the streets of Z-City, cutting through alleys and avoiding cameras with ease. His destination was clear.
Saitama's apartment.
"He should be home around now…" Sol checked the time. Mid-afternoon. Either shopping for discounted groceries or lazing around.
As the worn-down apartment building came into view, Sol slowed slightly.
Then he looked up.
On the rooftop, a bald man squatted lazily, watching people pass by below.
Sol grinned.
With a light jump, he landed beside him.
"Yo, Saitama."
Saitama turned, his blank eyes lighting up a bit. "Oh. You're that guy from the news. Guess I know someone famous now."
Sol chuckled and sat beside him. "Yeah, I'm officially a wanted criminal."
He leaned back slightly, relaxed. "You don't mind chatting with someone like that, do you?"
Saitama scratched his head. "Not really."
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